November had its share of woes for the Hershey Bears, but they exited the month riding a growing wave of confidence.

Jeff Taffe
HERSHEY BEARS

That confidence was on display during the third period of a 5-2 victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Friday night at Giant Center.

In a game in which they owned a clear edge in play, the Bears found themselves tied 2-2 after Jordan Hill scored for Bridgeport at 6:48.

The Bears shook it off and scored the final three goals to record their third straight win, tying a season high.

“It's a step in the right direction,” Bears forward Jeff Taffe said. “A win like that gives us a lot more confidence. It's easy to get deflated there. I thought, for the most part, we were playing pretty well.

Taffe's score from the top of the left circle beat goalie Anders Nilsson (27 saves) and gave Hershey a 3-2 lead. At 16:29, Patrick McNeill followed with a power-play goal, which also came from the top of the left circle, and Jon DiSalvatore capped it with an empty-netter with 15.4 seconds left.

Hershey has gone 3-1-0-0 since head coach Mark French and assistant coach Troy Mann resumed full control of the team.

Hershey Bears defenseman Patrick McNeillHershey Bears defenseman Patrick McNeill talks about the goal that was his 138th Hershey point, which moved him past Barry Ashbee for No. 9 in all-time scoring by Hershey defensemen.

“I think guys are just feeling a little more comfortable, maybe not gripping the stick as tight,” McNeill said. “The leadership in the room has definitely stepped up, and I think that's kind of calmed guys down a bit.

“Everybody seems to be meshing together, which is nice. We're glad it's happening now. We're just trying to take a step forward.”

For the second straight game – and just the third time this season – the Bears outshot a foe (32-24).

Hershey mustered an 11-4 shot advantage in the first but still found itself trailing 1-0 on a Johan Sundstrom goal at 5:50 of the second.

A bit of late-period strategy didn't work as planned for the Bears, but it still ultimately worked out after French replaced Evan Barlow with Zach Hamill for a defensive zone faceoff.

Hamill lost the draw and Bridgeport got a scoring chance. However, Hershey was able to clear the zone and Hamill, converting a DiSalvatore pass, scored with 33.1 seconds left to tie it 1-1.

“I think the goal at the end of the second was big,” French said. “We had played really well up until that point in time and then they were able to score. If you can score in the first and last minute, it's really important for momentum. I think Hamill's goal there in the end certainly gave us a little bit more jump to our step.

“Nice to see him score. Obviously, from a coaching standpoint, it didn't work out as I had thought it would.”

Tomas Kundratek gave Hershey a 2-1 lead at 6:01 of the third with a center-point shot that came five seconds after a two-minute, 5-on-3 for Hershey expired. Hill answered 47 seconds later.

Bridgeport got its own 5-on-3 in the third that lasted 1:21, but Hershey killed it off. Those were the only two power plays the Bears allowed the Sound Tigers, who entered the game tied for No. 1 in the AHL on the power play.

“That was obviously the biggest key going into the game, trying to stay out of the box,” McNeill said. “We know that they have a great power play. That's what we preached before the game – discipline, stay smart and stay out of the box.”

The Bears have had just six minutes in penalties in each of the last two games.

“I think guys are playing to their roles now a little bit better,” French said. “We've been getting good goaltending all year, but now we're getting scoring from guys that were expected to score. We're still keeping the puck out of the net, so we're doing a good job defensively.”

NOTEBOOK

The Dec. 6 Hershey-Norfolk game at Washington's Verizon Center will be televised live on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and WHTM-TV's 27.2 RTV channel.

McNeill's goal was his 138th Hershey point, moving him past Barry Ashbee into sole possession of ninth place in all-time scoring by Hershey defensemen. Kevin McCarthy (144) is No. 8. “I didn't even realize I was that high on the list,” McNeill said, “but that's pretty special to me and I'm pretty proud of it.”

Play was stopped late in the first to review whether a Blair Riley shot was a Bridgeport goal, but the replay didn't work and the game remained scoreless. Holtby said the shot flat-spotted the post. “My view I clearly thought – and video showed it – it didn't go in,” French said.

In the three games Barlow has been in the lineup and on a line with DiSalvatore and Taffe, DiSalvatore has produced 4-2-6 and Taffe has produced 1-5-6. Taffe lauded the speed and playmaking Barlow has brought to the line. “I think Sal scoring the last few games has really helped out his confidence, too,” Taffe said. “You can tell he's making a lot better plays out there. It's starting to come together for our line. Not only us but I think a lot of guys.”

Hershey's four-goal third marked a season high for goals in period.

Hamill regained Hershey's goal-scoring lead (seven) and is one from matching his total last season with Providence.

The Norfolk Admirals coaching staff scouted the game in person. The Ads visit the Bears Saturday night.